Last polar bear in Africa dies

A polar bear believed to be the last in Africa, Wang, dies at Johannesburg Zoo, the organisation says. Video: Reuters

A polar bear believed to be the last surviving on the continent of Africa has died, the zoo where the animal had been kept has reported.

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo said Wang, born in 1984 and a much-loved attraction, had had to be put down after suffering liver and heart failure.

In recent months, Wang had taken the death of his life-long polar bear partner Geebee very hard, tearing up toys and grass in the enclosure they shared.

30-year-old Geebee was found dead on January 13 in the pool of her Johannesburg Zoo enclosure after a heart attack. The two had been partners since they arrived at the South African zoo in 1985, each of them barely a year old.

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